NanaimoNewsNOW presents the top viral stories of 2020 based on engagement online through our readers. (NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

2020 IN REVIEW

Top Stories of 2020: Most viral and discussed stories of the year

Dec 27, 2020 | 7:27 AM

NANAIMO — Heroic actions, attacks on animals, popular giveaways and a continued streak of lotto luck all lit up social media through the rollercoaster year of 2020.

Few stories through the year generated as much attention online or in the Nanaimo community as a simple giveaway of free dirt.

Residents waited in line for hours on Apr. 11 to take advantage of the generous offering from the Milner Group, who supplied each vehicle with two free yards of garden soil as a way to foster community support during the early days of the pandemic.

Lines snaked for kilometres down Biggs Rd, to Jingle Pot Rd. and across Hwy. 19, causing traffic delays and long waits.

Craig Cookman, General Manager of Milner Group estimated crews loaded around 6,000 yards of top soil for approximately 3,000 customers.

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“We had no idea, we’re absolutely overwhelmed with both joy and shock and awe of the turnout,” Cookman said. “We really wanted to give back to the community, especially the front line healthcare workers.”

Milner also offered free delivery for frontline workers who were unable to attend the giveaway in person.

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The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on many, but messages of being kind and caring for others often won out.

Messaging meant to inspire selfless actions was embodied by one burger restaurant server who lept into action when her customer collapsed at their table.

Jillian Baird used her recently completed first aid training to perform chest compressions on a diner at Top Notch Burgers in downtown Nanaimo on Aug. 31 until paramedics arrived.

“He said he needed an ambulance,” Baird said. “He vocalized it and was pretty normal so I thought he was making a joke at first.”

Paramedics said after Baird’s intervention potentially saved the man’s life.

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Jenny Albright lept into action of a different kind as she defended her friend’s dog against a young cougar at the Nanaimo River on May 9.

Albright picked up a large rock and threw it at the big cat as the off-leash dog squealed in pain.

“I kicked it three times and then it swatted at me,” Albright said. “I backed up and (it) only got me with a little knick. Then I kicked him three more times in the face and he finally dropped the dog.”

The dog initially survived the attack however passed away the following day from its injuries.

Conservation officers said the juvenile cat was unable to fend for itself and was too young to be away from its mother.

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It wasn’t the only animal-related story to go viral in 2020. Eric Sarno fished out bacon-wrapped rat poison from his dog’s mouth at a friend’s house in north Nanaimo on June 23.

The incident came as similar poisonings were reported by Oceanside RCMP two days prior where pills were stuffed into hot dogs.

“I have no explanation on the severity of this evil. I have no words that could describe…who could do something this evil,” Sarno said.

The dog survived after over $1,000 in vet treatment and medications.

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2020 also saw the continued purple patch for Nanaimo lottery players. Brad Rowan pocketed $2 million from the Oct. 28 BC/49 draw after initially winning $1 on a scratch ticket. He and his partner will use the money to towards a new home.

Some Nanaimo lotto players had more unique ideas for their winnings. Curtis Wright said he wanted to purchase a high-tech fridge, valued at $16,000 after his $1 million Lotto 6/49 win in February.

Not to be outdone, Debra Allen had her eyes on a luxury hair dryer as a way to spend some of the $500,000 she won in August.

Seventeen people have purchased a lottery ticket in Nanaimo and won at least $500,000 since 2012.

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The start of the year brought two major stories. The Blueback Stairs in north Nanaimo officially re-opened after a full restoration. NanaimoNewsNOW’s Spencer Sterritt (along with cameraman Alex Rawnsley) made the foolish decision to run them on Jan. 4 in celebration.

January also saw some of the heaviest snowfall in recent years. Nanaimo set new benchmarks for snowfall in a 24 hour period for both Jan. 14 and 15, effectively shutting down much of the city for several days.

Finally, a busy portion of Bowen Rd. was transformed into a raging river on Apr. 3 after a water main burst through the road. Torrents of water flooded Bowen Rd. and nearby Dufferin Cres.

Some residents went without water in their homes for several hours while the system adjusted to meet demand. The damaged pipe was eventually replaced and the road re-surfaced.

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